In a nutshell, it's any audio or video file that is available for download on the Internet. Podcasts can be watched and listened to via computer or iPod, so they are easy for kids to access. The Classroom 2.0 wiki has more detailed explanation here.
One of the best places to search for both audio and video podcasts (and subscribe to them) is through the iTunes Music Store.
(Podcasts are free, but you access them there.) It's slow at school, though, so try this at home.
Click here for a short video from Apple on how to find podcasts at the iTunes Store.
Here's how to start looking for podcasts through iTunes.
Open iTunes and click on iTunes Store. From here you have a few options.
On the left side of your screen click on Podcasts, then under Categories, click on Education, then K-12, and browse
On the left side of your screen click in iTunes U. This gets you to content from universities. Take a look at the University of South Florida's podcasts from their education department—they have K-12 material.
Click on Podcasts then find the button for Public Broadcasting Podcasts. This is where PBS and NPR put their podcasts, and they have lots of great offerings.
When you find a podcast that you like, click on SUBSCRIBE. Then when you return to iTunes, you can just click on Podcasts in your library on the upper left side and your podcasts will be waiting for you.
Podcasts
What's a podcast?
In a nutshell, it's any audio or video file that is available for download on the Internet. Podcasts can be watched and listened to via computer or iPod, so they are easy for kids to access. The Classroom 2.0 wiki has more detailed explanation here.Samples
OMS Cougar BookcastJodi Carufel's Student Poetry
Our City Podcast
Intelligenic: Inspiring Adventurous Teaching (Dan Schmidt podcasts about podcasting. Sponsors the KidCast Podcasting in the Classroom contest)
Learning in Hand
iTunes Music Store
One of the best places to search for both audio and video podcasts (and subscribe to them) is through the iTunes Music Store.(Podcasts are free, but you access them there.) It's slow at school, though, so try this at home.
Click here for a short video from Apple on how to find podcasts at the iTunes Store.
Here's how to start looking for podcasts through iTunes.
Open iTunes and click on iTunes Store. From here you have a few options.
- On the left side of your screen click on Podcasts, then under Categories, click on Education, then K-12, and browse
- On the left side of your screen click in iTunes U. This gets you to content from universities. Take a look at the University of South Florida's podcasts from their education department—they have K-12 material.
- Click on Podcasts then find the button for Public Broadcasting Podcasts. This is where PBS and NPR put their podcasts, and they have lots of great offerings.
When you find a podcast that you like, click on SUBSCRIBE. Then when you return to iTunes, you can just click on Podcasts in your library on the upper left side and your podcasts will be waiting for you.Making a Podcast
Good, general information for how to create a podcast (from Learning in Hand)Audio podcasts can be made with GarageBand
Video podcasts can be made with iMovie (very general instructions here)
Bloomington teacher podcasts can be put on the web as an RSS feed through FirstClass Web Publishing